Palmerton residents complain of speeding

Friday, March 29, 2013

TERRY AHNER/TIMES NEWS Palmerton resident Ronald Leibenguth implores borough council on Thursday to either enforce the speed limit along the 100 block of Franklin Avenue, or put up a three-way stop sign at Second and Franklin, to address instances where he said vehicles drive at unsafe speeds.

Are motorists traveling at too high a rate of speed along a street children routinely cross in Palmerton?

Several residents who reside in the 100 block of Franklin Avenue told borough council on Thursday that's the case.

Resident Ronald Leibenguth illustrated several examples of cars that crashed from driving at a high rate of speed.

In one particular incident where a car crashed, Leibenguth noted "had there have been some school children walking down the street at that time, someone would have been killed."

Children who attend S.S. Palmer Elementary often cross the street for recess at the Coal Bowl playground, Leibenguth said.

Leibenguth added that while there is a 15-mile-per-hour speed limit sign that's posted by the playground, there are some drivers who choose to ignore it.

"Why is the speed limit not being enforced? I've lived there my whole life, and there have been numerous accidents from speeding."

Except for by the playground, there are 25-mile-per-hour speed limit signs posted on the road.

Leibenguth, who was joined by five other concerned homeowners who reside in the 100 block of Franklin, then offered a suggestion to council.

"I think there should be a three-way stop sign at Second and Franklin," he said. "Until somebody gets killed, something won't be done."

Council President Terry Costenbader said he had previously been made aware of the concerns expressed by Leibenguth, and asked the borough police department to observe traffic.

Costenbader said he had five different reports; the first, which monitored 27 cars; the second, 12 cars; the third, 30; the fourth, 54; and the fifth, 27.

Based on the speeds documented within the reports, Costenbader asked Leibenguth "how do you explain these accidents at a high rate of speed"?

Further, Costenbader told Leibenguth police can't be expected to monitor the area all the time.

Leibenguth retorted "if you can't get there 24 hours a day, then stop signs need to be there."

Costenbader told Leibenguth the matter would be referred to the borough's safety committee, and from there, it would go to the borough police department, at which time council would listen to its recommendation.

Leibenguth said "maybe there are a majority of people not speeding, but there are people speeding."

Also on Thursday, borough manager Rodger Danielson noted the borough's new wastewater treatment plant is progressing along nicely.

"The wastewater treatment plant operations are improving almost daily," Danielson said. "We're very pleased with how that's coming along right now."